RT Article
T1 Dignity and Political Expectation of the Malay Electorate in Malaysia
JF Intellectual discourse
VO 29
IS 1
SP 149
OP 174
A1 Shukri, Syaza Farhana Binti Mohammad
LA English
YR 2021
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1837861331
AB Malays as an ethnic group makes up the majority of Malaysia’s 32million population. However, the Malays continue to feel economically andsocially insecure with their position vis-à-vis other ethnicities such as theChinese, which have led to the continued support for conservative politicalfigures and parties. This study proposes that the Malays fear the loss of theirdignity in a multicultural world more than the fear of being left behind. Previousstudies have shown that the Malays are seeing the improvement of theirphysical and psychological well-being, and thus can be said to be living a lifewith dignity. Despite better conditions, the Malays are still reluctant to embraceinter-ethnic equality as it is perceived to threaten the community mindset ofthe Malays. Using a survey that was distributed to 458 respondents of adultMalays, this study seeks to discover the relationship between respondents’ viewon felt dignity and their political expectation. Based on a number of bivariatecorrelation analysis, it is found that while most of the Malay respondents expectit to be the government’s duty to empower and protect the Malay community,there is a modest relationship between those who feel dignified and secure to bemore liberal in their political expectation. The implication is that governmentpolicies should continue in uplifting the Malays as a pre-condition for a moreegalitarian Malaysia.